Vallejo Speedway History
I received a reply from Napa County, they found no business license under the name of West Coast Speedway ever, but they found the property owner Henry & Olivia Schain until 1961, and that the property (2750 Broadway) was purchased by Julie Bowman. She later sold it to George Acree who titled the deed dba Vallejo Speedway in 1964, and then sold again in 1980,1982 and finally in 2002 to American Homes.
So, l presume that the West Coast Speedway operated on the property leased by the Schain's 'til '61, and then Vallejo Speedway was leased from Julie Bowman, perhaps by Mr.Acree 1961-1964 when it was purchased by Mr.Acree 09 July 1964 and registered and dba Vallejo Speedway until it closed after the 1979 season. Vallejo Speedway existed 1961-1979 it seems.
Santa Rosa closed in 1960 and Pacheco closed in 1960. It seems maybe Mr.Acree and Frank Blado did indeed see "the writing on the wall", bought WCS, downsized it, re-named it and the Zanoline's, Geving's, Frankilns, Dudley's etc. all matriculated to The Vallejo Speedway.The Baker's from Capital and the Pacheco drivers did likewise, seems to be what happened.
Vallejo Speedway was at "sea-level" and that is why it was able to retain most of it's moisture. The black, sticky, bay bottom mud is what type of racing surface it was. The term for that type of clay is "black gumbo mud" because it really doesn't deteriorate or lose moisture, a lot like Knoxville in Iowa, lightning quick and smooth as silk.
Frank Blado was someone who loved his job as track manager. He would start as soon as the nights events were over preparing the racing surface for the next race. l heard many comments from many and various drivers of all different types of cars that Vallejo was THE BEST PREPARED CLAY OVAL THEY HAVE EVER RACED ON AND THEY LOVED TO COME HERE. These drivers drove Hardtops, Super-modified, Sprint cars and Midgets. Frank Blado knew every nuance, quirk, every inch that would give the speedway it's character and enable the FANTASTIC more often than not two and even three-wide hardtop racing action. Frank Blado, a.k.a "the blade", it's ironic that his last name is almost the same as the piece of construction equipment that he was a master of, the road grader or the blade. Frank was "the maestro","the man".
He once said "you buy a ticket for a whole seat, but only use the edge of it".
Thanks Frank for a lifetime of memories.
Mike Haney
I received a reply from Napa County, they found no business license under the name of West Coast Speedway ever, but they found the property owner Henry & Olivia Schain until 1961, and that the property (2750 Broadway) was purchased by Julie Bowman. She later sold it to George Acree who titled the deed dba Vallejo Speedway in 1964, and then sold again in 1980,1982 and finally in 2002 to American Homes.
So, l presume that the West Coast Speedway operated on the property leased by the Schain's 'til '61, and then Vallejo Speedway was leased from Julie Bowman, perhaps by Mr.Acree 1961-1964 when it was purchased by Mr.Acree 09 July 1964 and registered and dba Vallejo Speedway until it closed after the 1979 season. Vallejo Speedway existed 1961-1979 it seems.
Santa Rosa closed in 1960 and Pacheco closed in 1960. It seems maybe Mr.Acree and Frank Blado did indeed see "the writing on the wall", bought WCS, downsized it, re-named it and the Zanoline's, Geving's, Frankilns, Dudley's etc. all matriculated to The Vallejo Speedway.The Baker's from Capital and the Pacheco drivers did likewise, seems to be what happened.
Vallejo Speedway was at "sea-level" and that is why it was able to retain most of it's moisture. The black, sticky, bay bottom mud is what type of racing surface it was. The term for that type of clay is "black gumbo mud" because it really doesn't deteriorate or lose moisture, a lot like Knoxville in Iowa, lightning quick and smooth as silk.
Frank Blado was someone who loved his job as track manager. He would start as soon as the nights events were over preparing the racing surface for the next race. l heard many comments from many and various drivers of all different types of cars that Vallejo was THE BEST PREPARED CLAY OVAL THEY HAVE EVER RACED ON AND THEY LOVED TO COME HERE. These drivers drove Hardtops, Super-modified, Sprint cars and Midgets. Frank Blado knew every nuance, quirk, every inch that would give the speedway it's character and enable the FANTASTIC more often than not two and even three-wide hardtop racing action. Frank Blado, a.k.a "the blade", it's ironic that his last name is almost the same as the piece of construction equipment that he was a master of, the road grader or the blade. Frank was "the maestro","the man".
He once said "you buy a ticket for a whole seat, but only use the edge of it".
Thanks Frank for a lifetime of memories.
Mike Haney
West Coast Speedway prior to 1961
West Coast Speedway held races for many different associations including NASCAR as this one. Those are the cars of Troy Ruttman and Marshall Teague. I don't know if any of these men are the drivers or just bystanders. |
West Coast Speedway / Vallejo Speedway
The 1/4 mile Vallejo was constructed inside the 5/8 mile West Coast. I believe the new pit area was turns three and four of the 5/8 mile and turns one and two of the 5/8 mile was beyond the new turns one and two of the 1/4 mile. This is a view from the pits looking at turn four and the front stretch towards turn one. |
Vallejo Speedway Construction
One can sort of see the outline of the old 5/8 mile. Just as famous is the Crescent drive in theater in the background. Once dark, the kids in the grandstands seemed to enjoy the movie more than the races. I for one, never noticed! |
Vallejo Speedway 1970
The best shot of the track I have come up with, with stock cars, no hardtops. What's with that!
Bob Manzer photo |
Early pics of Vallejo Speedway showing the 5/8ths used in the '50s and the 1/4 used in the '60s and '70s. Also the older speedway near Couch Street.
Thanks to Ed Rust for these pics and Shannon Grant for the comments.
Thanks to Ed Rust for these pics and Shannon Grant for the comments.
Bob & Jane Bockover and their photo booth at Vallejo Speedway.
One of their many contributions to the track including building
and allowing many drivers drive their cars.
Jeff Hatwig pic
The Blade
Frank "the Blade" Blado smoothing the surface to maintain the fastest dirt track in the west. |
Submitted by Skip Brown
|
Thanks Mike Haney for the info and photos
Here we have some shots of the abandoned Vallejo Speedway circa 1993.
Sometime later, more house were built over the entire area as can be seen in the last photo.
Sometime later, more house were built over the entire area as can be seen in the last photo.
